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WhatsApp released its ‘WhatsApp for business’ application in January of 2018. The idea was that the 450 million daily active WhatsApp users would be able to message their favourite brands/businesses. It has since become an easy communication platform providing simple information to consumers through one-on-one communications with a company representative....
Instagram is a complicated social media platform, with regular algorithm changes making it hard to crack the “Instagram code”. If you don’t have a clue what to do to increase your following and improve your brand’s awareness, here are ten tips to help you:...
As one of the most popular digital analytics software, Google Analytics (GA) has created a detailed and accessible service which allows you to analyse the visitors on your website. This provides valuable insights to shape your online business presence and optimise your website’s reach. There are many reasons to love GA; here’s why we are besotted: ...
If you read our previous blog, where we discussed how major tech companies are taking advantage of social media, you were hopefully reassured that there is nothing to be scared of as long as you know the best ways to utilise social media. To help you with this, we have put together a few tips to ensure that you use social media and it doesn’t use you: Tip 1: Find your platforms Different social media platforms require different kinds of posts. It is not a “one size fits all” situation. Consider what kind of audience you want to attract and which...
In light of the new WhatsApp new privacy policy, we thought we would provide our two cents. The saying goes, “If something is for free, then you are the product”. In this case, your data is the product. Social media companies have been acting like Big Brother since their inception. The Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma (2020) opens the eyes of the public to the scary fact that all social media platforms directly target you by watching your every step. This is why you’ll go from messaging a friend about wanting to get fit, to your social media platforms bombarding...
While 2020 was certainly a tough year for everyone, there is no doubt that we learned some valuable lessons which are worth remembering going into a new year. The business landscape is just as competitive and turbulent as ever, so we have put together our top five “pointers from the pandemic” to help you engage better with your customers, staff and the media. Communicate, no matter what Last year we learned the true power of information – and misinformation (read: fake news). Don’t leave your business reputation in the hands of hearsay. Let your stakeholders know what you’re doing, how you’re doing,...
In today’s disrupted work environment, we are no longer strangers to virtual presentations. In fact, you are probably dreading the next webinar invite, having fallen prey to one poor presentation after the next. This begs the question: how do we effectively engage with our audience through a screen, so that they aren’t tempted to hit that tempting “end meeting” button? The purpose of a presentation is to captivate and engage with your audience to successfully portray your message. This can be difficult when your audience is at home or in a busy office with many distractions. Not only do we have...
Any good communications strategy goes beyond the use of words to reach an audience with visual elements, enticing them to engage further with your content. Despite the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” the reality is that we do. And why shouldn’t we? A book cover, like any design, should be efficient at communicating with its potential audience about what to expect if they delve further. However, it’s easier said than done. Successfully appealing to an audience with visual communication is an ever-moving target. We have put together this list of five trends which should help you...
Each year, the celebration of Heritage Day on 24 September highlights discussions around culture. On this day, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions. In a rainbow nation, our differences are to be celebrated. Globally, too, there is greater emphasis being placed on diversity and inclusion in organisations. In light of this, we thought we would take this opportunity to talk about an important aspect of culture – company culture. Company culture encompasses values and behaviours that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of a business. It defines the rules...
If the title of this blog post rings a bell, it’s because this line was the theme for International Women’s Day 2020, and rightly so. The wide-reaching research available on the topic of women in the boardroom shows that gender equality has a strong business case. It’s not just great for women, it’s great for financial and social performance of a company too. As we celebrate Women’s Day in South Africa this month, let’s catch up on what this theme means in our local context. Since we offer strategic business services and reputation management, the SWM team has a finger on...